Navigating the London 11+ Consortium: A Parent’s Guide

6 hours ago

7 min read

Everything parents need to know about the London 11+ Consortium, from choosing the right girls’ schools and understanding the assessment to preparing for interviews and managing key deadlines.

Choosing a secondary school is one of the biggest decisions a family makes. In London, where there are many excellent independent schools and admissions processes can feel complex, knowing where to begin can be challenging.

The London 11+ Consortium was established to simplify part of that process for families applying to a group of independent girls’ schools. However, while a shared assessment can make applications more manageable, parents still need to understand each school’s individual character, admissions requirements and approach to education.

So, how does the Consortium work, how should you prepare, and how can you decide which schools are right for your daughter?

What is the London 11+ Consortium?

The London 11+ Consortium is a group of independent girls’ day schools that share a common assessment process for entry into Year 7 at age 11.

The Consortium allows participating schools to use a shared assessment rather than requiring candidates to sit a completely separate entrance examination at every school. This can reduce some of the logistical pressure on families applying to several schools.

However, the assessment is only one part of the admissions process. Schools also consider information about a candidate’s academic performance, attitudes and character, and may conduct their own interviews or apply additional selection criteria.

The Consortium’s member schools are:

Channing School
Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park
Francis Holland School, Sloane Square
Godolphin and Latymer
More House School
Northwood College for Girls
Notting Hill and Ealing High School
Queen’s College, London
Queen’s Gate School
South Hampstead High School
St Augustine’s Priory
St Helen’s School
St James Senior Girls’ School
St Margaret’s School

Although these schools share an assessment framework, they are not interchangeable. They have different cultures, academic environments, locations, facilities and approaches to pastoral care. The key is to identify the schools that best suit your daughter, rather than simply applying to as many as possible.

For the latest information, visit the official London 11+ Consortium website.

When should you start preparing?

For families considering September 2028 entry, Year 5 is an ideal time to begin researching schools and understanding the admissions process. You do not need to have everything decided immediately, but starting early gives you time to explore your options without unnecessary pressure.

I would recommend beginning with three priorities.

1. Understand your daughter as a learner

Think about her academic strengths, interests, personality and learning preferences. Is she naturally curious and independent? Does she thrive in a structured environment? Does she enjoy competition, creative subjects, sport or the performing arts? Is she happiest in a large, energetic community or somewhere smaller and more personal?

These questions can help you identify schools where she is likely to flourish, both academically and personally.

2. Research schools beyond their results

Academic results matter, but they are only one part of the picture. Look at each school's ethos, teaching approach, pastoral support, extracurricular provision and the day-to-day experience of its pupils.

Attend open events where possible, speak to admissions teams and read each school's admissions information carefully. Consider the practicalities, too: a long daily commute can have a significant impact on family life.

3. Build familiarity gradually

The Consortium assessment tests a range of skills, so a strong foundation in English and mathematics is important. Reading widely, developing clear written expression and encouraging logical thinking can all help.

At this stage, I would prioritise confidence, curiosity and familiarity with the assessment format over intensive exam drilling. Preparation should support your daughter’s learning rather than make the admissions process dominate family life.

What does the London 11+ Consortium assessment involve?

The Consortium uses an online assessment lasting approximately 100 minutes, with a break of up to 30 minutes between sections. The assessment combines adaptive and non-adaptive sections.

The published format is as follows:

Assessment section	Duration	Format
Mathematics	20 minutes	Adaptive
Non-verbal reasoning	10 minutes	Adaptive
English	20 minutes	Non-adaptive
Verbal reasoning	10 minutes	Adaptive
Break	Up to 30 minutes	—
Problem-solving	15 minutes	Non-adaptive
Creative comprehension	25 minutes	Non-adaptive

Check the official Consortium website for the latest assessment format and arrangements before making preparation plans.

An adaptive test adjusts the difficulty of questions in response to a candidate’s answers. The mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning sections are adaptive, while English, problem-solving and creative comprehension are non-adaptive.

The assessment is designed around knowledge and skills associated with the Year 5 curriculum, while also challenging pupils to think carefully and apply what they know.

This means that preparation should not focus solely on memorising techniques. Strong reading habits, secure mathematical foundations, careful reasoning and the ability to approach unfamiliar problems are all valuable.

How should you prepare for the assessment?

There is no single preparation strategy that suits every child. The right approach depends on her current attainment, confidence, learning style and familiarity with this type of assessment.

For some pupils, a little familiarisation with the question formats and online environment may be sufficient. Others may benefit from a more structured programme to strengthen particular areas.

A sensible starting point is to:

Review core skills. Ensure that Year 5 mathematics, reading comprehension, vocabulary and written English are developing securely.
Introduce the format. Use the familiarisation resources provided by the Consortium so that the assessment feels less unfamiliar.
Develop reasoning. Encourage your daughter to explain how she reaches an answer, explore different approaches and persevere with unfamiliar problems.
Keep preparation proportionate. Avoid allowing tutoring and practice papers to take over her evenings and weekends.
Protect confidence. Children are more likely to approach challenging work positively when they feel supported rather than under constant pressure.

The Consortium advises families to familiarise candidates with the assessment rather than engage in excessive teaching specifically for the test.

If your daughter has attended a Montessori school, or another setting with a different educational approach, it is worth considering how her experience has developed her independence, curiosity and problem-solving skills. You may need to identify any differences between her current curriculum and the knowledge expected in the assessment, but her existing strengths should also inform your preparation plan.

The role of school references and interviews

The assessment is not the only consideration in the admissions process.

Schools may request information from a candidate’s current school about academic performance, attitude to learning and personal qualities. Some use a shared reference form, while others may have their own arrangements.

An individual school may also invite candidates to an interview. The exact process varies, so it is important to check the requirements of every school on your shortlist rather than assume that all Consortium members follow identical procedures.

Interview preparation should help your daughter feel comfortable talking about herself, her interests and her learning. Encourage her to reflect on what she enjoys at school, what she finds challenging, what she reads and which activities matter to her.

The aim is not to teach her a set of rehearsed answers. It is to help her communicate naturally, thoughtfully and confidently.

Parents should also keep the current school informed about relevant deadlines and reference requests. Good organisation can prevent unnecessary last-minute stress.

How do you choose the right schools?

It can be tempting to focus on league tables, reputation or the schools that other families are applying to. These factors may inform your research, but they should not determine your shortlist on their own.

I recommend considering five areas.

Academic environment: How does the school stretch pupils? Does its approach suit your daughter’s strengths and learning style?

Pastoral care: How does the school support pupils through the transition to secondary education? What systems are in place if a pupil is struggling socially, emotionally or academically?

School culture: Does the school feel warm, energetic, formal, collaborative or highly competitive? Where is your daughter most likely to feel comfortable and motivated?

Wider opportunities: Consider sport, music, drama, languages, clubs, trips and leadership opportunities, particularly if your daughter has interests she would like to pursue.

Practicalities and affordability: Look realistically at the commute, the school day, extracurricular commitments and the total cost of attendance. Include VAT where applicable, as well as extras such as uniform, trips and transport.

Try to create a shortlist that balances aspiration with suitability. A school should be a good fit for your daughter as she is now, while offering room for her to develop over the next seven years.

What are the key dates for September 2027 entry?

For families applying for September 2027 entry, the published London 11+ Consortium timetable is:

Stage	Date
Registration deadline	Friday 6 November 2026
Assessment	Friday 27 November, Tuesday 1 December or Thursday 3 December 2026
Offers issued	Friday 12 February 2027
Acceptance deadline	12 noon, Wednesday 3 March 2027

Candidates sit the assessment on one of the specified assessment dates. Families should confirm their individual arrangements with the relevant school or assessment venue.

Important: these dates are for September 2027 entry. Families planning for September 2028 entry should check the Consortium website for the next admissions timetable when it is published.

As well as the shared Consortium dates, make a note of each school's registration process, any additional forms, interview arrangements and scholarship or bursary deadlines. Do not assume that registering for the Consortium assessment automatically completes every school's application requirements.

Common mistakes to avoid

Leaving research too late. A rushed shortlist makes it harder to understand the differences between schools and identify the best fit.

Assuming one assessment means one application. Check the registration and application requirements for every school you are considering.

Over-preparing. Excessive practice can undermine confidence and take time away from other activities that matter to your daughter.

Focusing exclusively on academic results. A school may be academically excellent but not offer the right environment for your child.

Neglecting the wider admissions process. References, interviews, school-specific requirements and family logistics all deserve attention.

Treating an outcome as a verdict on your daughter. Competitive admissions processes involve many factors. An unsuccessful application does not define a child's potential or future success.

How Lorimer Education can help

Navigating the London 11+ Consortium involves more than understanding an examination. Parents must compare schools, interpret admissions requirements, manage deadlines and make decisions about the environment in which their daughter will spend a formative part of her education.

At Lorimer Education, I offer personalised guidance to families navigating the UK independent school system. Drawing on my experience as a teacher, Head of Year and educational consultant, I help parents develop a considered school shortlist, understand the admissions process and plan the next steps with greater clarity.

Support can include school research and selection, admissions planning, preparation for school visits and interviews, and advice tailored to a child's individual strengths and needs.

Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or already have a shortlist, an informed and organised approach can make the process feel more manageable.

If you would like support choosing the right secondary schools for your daughter, get in touch to arrange an introductory conversation.

Admissions requirements and assessment arrangements can change. Always confirm the latest information directly with the London 11+ Consortium and the individual schools.